Irish Will Be Disruptive On Defense

SOUTH BEND, IND. — There will not only be a new Irish look on offense this year, but look for wrinkles in the defense, too.

Gary Darnell, who was named defensive coordinator by coach Lou Holtz after Barry Alvarez took the head coaching position at Wisconsin, plans a defense that will be more attack-oriented.

``The key word is disruption,`` said Darnell, who came to Notre Dame after serving as interim head coach at troubled Florida. ``I just feel you have to be more aggressive in certain situations and turn people loose to go after the ball.

``It`s not a great difference from what`s been done before here, but it`s knowing early on what the other team is trying to do in certain situations and not letting them do it.``

One practical effect of Darnell`s philosophy is that Chris Zorich will take a more direct route toward the opposing quarterback instead of lying back for his reads.

Darnell, 40, is one of four new Irish assistant coaches this year.

Dick Bumpas, a former All-American defensive tackle at Arkansas who served as a graduate assistant for Holtz at Arkansas in the late 1970s after a six-year pro career, was named defensive line coach, replacing John Palermo, who took the head coaching job at Austin Peay.

Peter Vaas, who turned in a 29-11-1 record at Division III powerhouse Allegheny College in Meadville, Penn., assumed duties as coach of the running backs after Jim Strong took the head coaching position at UNLV.

Skip Holtz, who played for his father at Notre Dame, coaches the receivers as a volunteer assistant without pay.

Holtz often speaks to his team about trust, love and commitment and took some unusual steps to close the ranks of his new staff.

About a month ago, the coaches spent four days at the Pecos River Learning Center in New Mexico literally putting their lives in each other`s hands.

``You do things there you just wouldn`t do otherwise,`` said Darnell.

``Like climbing up poles 35 feet in the year, jumping off 189-foot cliffs on a zip line and falling backward into space hoping someone will catch you.`` Vaas recalls standing atop the cliff looking down at the river the cable was to swing him across.

``Not only did I never think I would do such a thing, but looking back at it, I can`t believe I did it,`` said Vaas.

``When it was over, it vividly pointed out out how important support and encouragement are in getting people to do more than than they really want to do.``

Holtz, who has jumped out of airplanes and ridden in a submarine, took part in the exercises.

``I wanted an experience where we could all come closer together in a short period of time,`` he said.